It looks like a similar thing is happening with regard to the planned take over of various Verizon systems by Fairpoint. According to this on Slashdot, Fairpoint plans to require all users of web-based email services to use the Farpoint webportal instead of the thrid party -- such as AOL or Yahoo. Because this makes no sense, I took a second look and decided that all Fairpoint is doing is warning users that some special Verizon deals will go away when Fairpoint takes over.
Hopefully, Fairpoint will verify one way or the the other soon before people whip themselves into a frenzy.